Iziqholo in court no-show in coach dispute

Raymond Jaravaza
TSHOLOTSHO FC failed to turn up at the Bulawayo Labour Court in a dispute between the club and former assistant coach Sithethelelwe aï¿½ï¿½aï¿½ï¿½Kwinji 15aï¿½ï¿½aï¿½ï¿½ Sibanda.

Sibanda was replaced by Bongani Mafu at Tsholotsho FC under unclear circumstances last year in September in a move described by the club management as a necessary change to save the team from relegation.

The former assistant coach aï¿½ï¿½ now second-in-command to Mighty Warriors head coach Shadreck Mlauzi aï¿½ï¿½ then dragged Tsholotsho FC to the Labour Court for unlawful dismissal.

Before the case could go to the Labour Court Tsholotsho FC, through chairman Mlamuli Phiri, engaged Sibanda who was represented by the Football Union of Zimbabwe (FUZ) for an out of court settlement.

In a letter dated 6 June 2016 seen by B-Metro Sport Phiri stated that Tsholotsho FC would pay Sibanda six monthsaï¿½ï¿½ salary to the tune of $3 120.

The club would deposit $400 starting end of June 2016 into Sibandaaï¿½ï¿½s bank account until the total sum was paid.

The club, however, failed to meet its end of the deal and was subsequently dragged to court.

According to FUZ president Desmond Maringwa, Tsholotsho FC was not represented at the Bulawayo Labour Court on Tuesday.

aï¿½?Tsholotsho FC acted in bad faith because they initially asked for the dispute to be settled internally and promised to pay Sibanda in monthly instalments but later reneged so we were forced to approach the Labour Court. Club president (Mandla Manyathela) was supposed to represent Tsholotsho FC today (Tuesday) but he did not turn up,aï¿½? said Maringwa.

The case was postponed to 4 November 2016.

The FUZ president said resorting to the courts was always the last option.

aï¿½?Our mandate is to represent anyone within the confines of the football industry and we always try to engage the concerned parties to settle their disputes out of court. Itaï¿½ï¿½s only when the parties fail to reach an agreement that we approach the courts,aï¿½? he said.

Tsholotsho FC chairman Phiri said he was not aware the club had failed to send a representative to the Labour Court.

aï¿½?Iaï¿½ï¿½m now based in Victoria Falls so I left the day to day running of the club to colleagues in Bulawayo. Speak to Manyathela,aï¿½? said Phiri.

Manyathela could not be reached for comment.